The World Championship of Legends 2025 kicked off in spectacular fashion as Pakistan Champions secured a gripping five-run victory over England Champions in the tournament opener at Edgbaston. In a match filled with momentum swings, tight death bowling from the Pakistan veterans proved decisive in a game that went down to the final delivery.
Batting first, Pakistan were under early pressure after losing two quick wickets in the powerplay. But captain Mohammad Hafeez led from the front with a fluent 54 off 34 balls, blending classical strokes with smart strike rotation. He found support from the lower middle order, particularly Aamer Yamin and Sohail Tanvir, who smashed quick runs in the final overs. Their 22-run blitz in the last over pushed Pakistan to 160 for 9—a total that looked slightly above par on a tacky Edgbaston surface.
England Champions, in reply, began steadily with Phil Mustard anchoring the innings. Mustard’s 58 off 51 provided the perfect base, while Ian Bell’s unbeaten 51 looked set to guide England home. However, with the required rate climbing steadily, Pakistan’s bowlers tightened the screws.
Sohail Khan was handed the final over with England needing 16 runs. Displaying composure and tactical brilliance, he nailed his yorkers and slower deliveries perfectly, conceding only 10 runs and sealing the win for Pakistan. His performance at the death was the standout of the day, turning what seemed like a chaseable target into a nerve-wracking thriller.
Rumman Raees also played a key role, maintaining a tight line and length through the middle overs and finishing with excellent economy. The combination of his containment and Sohail Khan’s death-over mastery proved too much for England despite their solid platform.
While England’s batting showed promise, especially from their top order, their inability to accelerate in the final overs and the costly last over with the ball in Pakistan’s innings proved the difference. James Vince, who was surprisingly given the ball for the 20th over in the first innings, was taken apart for 22 runs—runs that turned out to be decisive in the final margin.
This win gives Pakistan Champions a strong start and momentum in what promises to be a highly competitive tournament. It also reaffirmed the value of experience in pressure moments—Hafeez, Raees, and Khan each stepping up when it mattered most.
For England, there are positives to take away, particularly from their batting. But they’ll need to reassess their bowling strategies in the death overs if they hope to bounce back in the next fixture.
The high-octane clash set the tone for the tournament, with legends from around the world showing they’ve still got the spark. As the World Championship of Legends continues, fans can expect more thrilling finishes and throwback brilliance from some of cricket’s most iconic names.